Easter Sunday attack: AG refuses to testify before PSC

• SAYS would create a problematic situation in discharging HIS duties

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwadana   

 Attorney General Dappula de Livera who was called to testify before the parliamentary select committee probing the Easter Sunday bomb attacks yesterday refused to do so saying such an act is problematic when it comes to performing his duties.   

“If I testify it would create a problematic situation in discharging my duties as, if I testify before the committee as a witness that would compromise my role as the Attorney General in future and particularly with regard to the cases pending and would not be able to discharge my duties. I represent the President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Few Cabinet Ministers are sitting in this committee as the members as well. That means I will testify before my clients. There is a clear conflict of interest. If this committee entertains me as a witness and in the meantime I am a counsel on the very same issues. There is a real conflict of interests,” Mr. de Livera said.

  
The PSC led by Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri then adjourned the sessions of the committee to decide on the next course of action.   

 When sessions resumed after the break it was announced that Senior Deputy Solicitor General and Senior State Counsel representing the Attorney General’s Department would testify on behalf of the Attorney General. Apparently they began testifying later.    Attorney General de Livera was summoned before the select committee to seek clarification on obtaining a warrant from Interpol to arrest National Thowheed Jamat Leader Zahran in 2018.